WASHINGTON- The Center for Biological Diversity launched a campaign Tuesday to gather 500,000 signatures on a People's Petition asking the Environmental Protection Agency to set a national pollution standard to reduce carbon dioxide pollution in the atmosphere to 350 parts per million. Atmospheric CO2 is currently at 390 parts per million and growing, causing a dangerous climate disruption.

The People's Petition is in support of a Clean Air Act legal filing submitted by the Center and 350.org in December 2009 to set an upper limit of 350 parts per million on dangerous greenhouse gas pollution. The EPA is currently reviewing the request and is expected to render a decision later this year.

Though Congress and the White House have been crafting legislation, and the EPA is beginning the process of regulation, there is as yet no formal scientific standard determining what the safe level of carbon dioxide is and how deeply emissions need to be reduced to return to the safety zone.

According to actor and environmental activist, Ed Begley, Jr.:
"Setting climate policy without a scientific target is like driving with your eyes closed. You don't know where you're going and you'll probably crash. The EPA should open everyone's eyes as soon as possible by determining the safe level of greenhouse gases."

Begley is joined as an initial signer of the petition by Dr. Jim Hansen of NASA, who said:
"Science demands that we reduce atmospheric carbon pollution to a level of 350 parts per million (ppm) or less to sustain life as we know it. Energy and climate policies must recognize this 350 ppm limit."

The grassroots campaign is also supported by musician and activist Bonnie Raitt, who said:
"In 40 years of performing and working for social change, I've learned that the best, longest-lasting policy reforms come from the ground up. I hope that 500,000 people join me in asking the EPA to bring atmospheric carbon dioxide pollution back down to 350 parts per million. The lives of polar bears, sea turtles, and the human race depend on it."